The International Keyboard Odyssiad® & Festival, U.S.A.

Competition (Semifinals): August 3, 2024
Festival, including Final Competition Rounds: August 5–10, 2024

Live Competition Rounds: FREE & OPEN to the Public:

LIVE Semifinal Rounds: All Solo and Concerto Division Rounds will take place on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, at the University Center for the Arts (UCA), 1400 Remington, Fort Collins, Colorado
LIVE Final Rounds: All Solo and Concerto Division Rounds will take place Aug. 5-10, 2024, at the UCA, 1400 Remington, Fort Collins, Colorado.
LINK TO LIVESTREAM (To be provided in Aug. 2024)

All instructions, rules, and regulations for the International Keyboard Odyssiad® competition are located on this website. Go to the REGISTRATION drop-down menu for full information about the ONLINE Preliminary Round and live Semifinal and Final Rounds for both Solo and Concerto Divisions.

Eligibility: Gold Medalists in previous International Keyboard Odyssiad® Competitions are not eligible to re-enter the same age level of the competition, but may enter the next age solo division when eligible. Silver and Bronze Medalists may re-enter their age level again and compete for the Gold Medal.

SOLO DIVISION

The International Keyboard Odyssiad® Competition Solo Division is open to three age groups. Level is determined by the competitor’s age as of June 15, 2024:

Age Groups and Time Limits

  • Level A (13 and under): minimum of 10 minutes, maximum of 12 minutes

  • Level B (14-18): minimum of 12 minutes, maximum of 15 minutes

  • Level C Young Artist (19-35): minimum of 15 minutes, maximum of 20 minutes

  • Repertoire Requirement: Free choice of solo piano repertoire (two or three pieces) selected from two or more stylistic periods (Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, or 20th-21st century stylistic periods). The styles of the pieces performed should be varied to reflect the abilities of the performer. All music performed must be played from memory. Because different judges are used for each round, the same repertoire may be used for each progressive round. If the Odyssiad® Competition participant wants to change the repertoire in any round, the change must be noted on the original application form where the Preliminary Round repertoire is listed. No repertoire changes are permitted after June 15, 2024.

CONCERTO DIVISIONS

  • Single Movement Division for ages 18 and under (age as of June 15, 2024)

  • Complete Concerto Division for ages up to and including age 35 (age as of June 15, 2024)

Single Movement Division:

  • Repertoire requirement for the Single-Movement Division (ages 18 and under): One complete movement from the standard repertoire with either second piano or orchestral accompaniment. All music must be played from memory.

  • No changes in concerto repertoire may be made after June 15, 2024.

  • One winner will be chosen to perform the single movement with the Fort Collins Health and Wellness Community Orchestra during the 2024-2025 season.

  • Time Limit: Odyssiad® Competition participants in the Single Movement Division will perform the entire movement, regardless of length.

Complete Concerto Division:

  • Repertoire requirement for the Complete Concerto Division: A complete concerto from the standard repertoire with a second piano or orchestral accompaniment. All music must be played from memory.

  • No changes in concerto repertoire may be made after June 15, 2024.

  • One winner will be chosen to perform the concerto with the Boulder Symphony during the 2024-2025 season with Devin Patrick Hughes conducting.

  • Time Limit: Odyssiad® Competition participants in the Complete Concerto Division must be prepared to perform the entire concerto; however, judges will limit performance time to 25 minutes for the Preliminary and Semifinal Rounds, and allow the complete concerto for the Final Round.

Deadlines:

  • June 15, 2024: Competition Application deadline

    • Application Fee: Solo Competition Division ($150); Concerto Competition Divisions ($150); If entering BOTH Solo and Concerto Divisions ($250). Concerto applicants must provide their own accompanist for online preliminary rounds but may choose to use an Official Staff Accompanist for a $50 fee (Single Movement Concerto) and $100 fee (Complete Concerto), if selected for the Semifinal and Final Rounds. The accompanist fee must be paid at the Registration Table prior to the Semifinal Round.

  • July 1, 2024: IKOF Staff announces competition results and notifies competitors of their advancement to the LIVE Semifinal Round in Colorado.

  • July 5, 2024: deadline for Semifinalists to:

    • Notify IKOF staff of their intent to participate in the LIVE Semifinal Round in Colorado

    • Register and pay the discounted festival fee of $250 (highly recommended)

    • Indicate intent to play in a masterclass by one of the Odyssiad® Guest Artists (must be a festival registrant)

    • Request a host family